OBITUARIES 8-28-14

Wednesday

Aug 27, 2014 at 11:18 PM

Fall River Herald News obituaries for Aug. 28, 2014

Annunziata Belden

Ocala, FL – Annunziata “Tina” (DeVirgilio) Belden, 84, of Ocala, FL, wife of the late Allan F. Belden, died after a brief illness. Born in Naples, Italy she was the daughter of the late Umberto and Maria (Prezioso) DeVirgilio.

She is survived by her five children: Gene R. Belden of Ocala, FL; Joan Pierce and her husband Michael of Tenino, WA; Neal Belden and his wife Mary of Middletown, RI; and Diane Belden-Rosenthal of New Bedford, MA and Allan J. Belden and his wife Carrie of Holden, MA. She is also survived by her brother Umberto DeVirgilio and her sister Maria Rosaria DeVirgilio both of Naples, Italy. She leaves behind her eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Tina grew up in Vomero, Naples during WWII. She met her husband Allan, an American soldier who was recovering from wounds at the Villa Floridiana infirmary near her home. After five years of written correspondence, she left Italy to come to America to start her married life which endured for 63 years. The family resided in Fall River, MA and Portsmouth, RI prior to the couple retiring to Lake Wales, FL and later Ocala, FL.

Mrs. Belden was an active member of the Portsmouth Town Republican Party and for several years was the sewing instructor for Portsmouth’s Adult Education classes. She was a member of the Holy Name Church in Fall River and then St. Anthony’s Parish in Portsmouth. She generously donated her time and cooking abilities for various local fundraising events. She was passionate about her family. A fantastic cook, who loved to entertain friends and family, she always enjoyed hosting family gatherings and her friends. She loved to laugh, her laughter was infectious, her cooking and baking superb. She was a loyal, dutiful wife, mother, grandmother and friend who will be missed by all who knew her. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2014, from 4–7pm in the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI. Her service will be held on Friday, August 29, 2014 at 10am in the funeral home followed by her entombment at Newport Memorial Park, 123 Howland Avenue, Middletown. Donations can be made in her honor to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, PO Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202. Additional information available at www.memorialfuneralhome.com.

Charles Ferreira Jr.

Charles Ferreira Jr., age 87 of Somerset, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014 at the Philip Hulitar Hospice Inpatient Center, Providence. He was the beloved husband of the late Elizabeth (Rita) Ferreira and the son of the late Charles & Rosalina (Carreira) Ferreira. Prior to retiring, Charles worked for Balfour Jewelry Co. and Lenox Co. as a Jewelry Polisher. He was US Army Veteran of the Korean War, a parishioner of St. John of God Church, a member of the Somerset Seniors Center, enjoyed playing bingo, woodworking, and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his niece and caretaker: Joanne Sandner, husband John of Somerset; son: Michael Andrade, wife Rosie of NC; grandchildren: Stephanie and Susan Marcellino, and Chelsea Sandner; great grandson: Caleb Nascimento and four other great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother and sisters.

Following cremation, his funeral will take place from the MANUEL ROGERS & SONS FUNERAL HOME, INC. 1521 N. Main St., Fall River on Friday, Aug. 29th at 8:30 A.M. with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. John of God Church at 10: 00 A.M. Private Interment in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Somerset. www.rogersfuneral.com.

Charlotte Mae Brooks

Charlotte Mae Brooks, “Charlie-Mae”, age 56, of Fall River, died August 26, 2014, at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was the fiancee of Samuel Edmonds, III.

Born in Fall River, a daughter of the late Raymon Brooks, Sr. and Mildred (Sears) Garnet, she was also the step-daughter of the late Orin Garnett who, with Mildred, raised her. She was a lifelong resident of the city.

Charlotte enjoyed playing solitaire, loved clowns and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

In addition to her fiancé, surviving: 3 sons: Jamal Brooks and companion Jenni, Jermaine Brooks and his wife Erin and Damien Brooks and wife Stacey all of Fall River, 11 siblings: Rolando, Robby, Randall, Rolinda, Raylene, Roberta, Karen, Regina, Renee, and the late Ramon, 14 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Leona (Allard) Sylvia, 72, of Fall River, died unexpectedly, Wednesday, August 27, 2014. A BMC Durfee High School graduate and former employee of Lightolier, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and traveling. She was beloved by many and will forever be in our hearts and remembered for her love of life and the happiness she brought to many.

She was the former wife of the late Manuel “Butch” Sylvia; the mother of Doreen Sampson (husband Robert) of Fall River and the late Dennis Sylvia (former wife Beth King of Fall River); the mémère of Megan Sylvia (companion Kevin Pereira), Heather Sylvia (fiancé Gregory Cabral), Nicole Sampson, Colby Sylvia, Amanda Sampson and Cameron Beland; the sister of Arthur Allard (companion Patricia Burgess) of Somerset and the late Norman Allard (wife Ann Allard of Fairhaven); the daughter of the late Henry and Evelyn (Audette) Allard. She also leaves nieces, a nephew and her dog “Kaylee”.

Her funeral will be held Saturday at 9:00 AM from the AUCLAIR FUNERAL HOME, 690 So. Main St., Fall River, with a funeral mass at Good Shepherd Church at 10:00 AM. Burial, Notre Dame Cemetery. Visitation, Friday 4:00 to 8:00 PM. LARGE PARKING AREA and BARRIER-FREE ENTRANCE at the rear of funeral home. In lieu of flowers, Donations may be made to American Heart and Stroke Assn., PO Box 417005, Boston MA 02241. Online guest book at AuclairFuneralHome.com.

Junior C. Erickson

Junior C. “Eric” Erickson, age 89 of Swansea passed away peacefully on Monday August 25, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. He was the loving husband of Marie (Soares) Erickson of 68 years and the son of the late Corent Frank and Mary (Paulson) Erickson. He proudly served his country as a WWII Navy Veteran, who served in the Philippines. He was also the owner of Eric’s Plumbing, former president of the Master Plumbers Association, member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and Somerset Sportsman’s Club, and was an avid fisherman, gardener, hunter and beekeeper.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by this five children; Jeffrey Erickson of Somerset, Dawn Turner of Swansea, Eric J. Erickson (wife Barbara) of Swansea, Gina Weyland of Rehoboth , and Andrea Crespi (husband Joseph) of Berkley, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of Betty Jenson Christianson and Frank C. Erickson and the late Marjorie Hawkins.

His funeral will take place from the MANUEL ROGERS & SONS FUNERAL HOME 1521 N. Main St. Fall River on Saturday at 9 A.M. followed by a Funeral Service at The First Christian Congregational Church at 10 A.M in Swansea. Interment in Mount Hope Cemetery also in Swansea. Calling hours are on Friday from 4-8. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Philip Hulitar Home & Hospice 1085 North Main St. Providence, RI 02904, or the Steward Hospice and Palliative Care 275c Martine St. Suite 109 Fall River, MA 02723. www.rogersfuneral.com.

Born in Tiverton, RI, he was a son of the late Joseph and Evangelina (Machado) Silvia; he lived most of his life in Tiverton and was a communicant of the Holy Ghost Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Fr. J. Boehr Council in Tiverton and a member of the former Ponta Delgada Club.

Mr. Silvia most recently worked as a parttime bagger up until the age of 90 at Stop & Shop on Mariano Bishop Blvd. Earlier in his life he worked as a spinner and doffer at the former Stretch Yarns and Newport Finishing. He also worked parttime at the Andrew’s Fruit Store for 40 years.

He is survived by four daughters, Jacqueline Vigeant (husband David) of Aiken, SC, Donna Silvia of Somerset, Cheryl Butler (husband Ken) of Georgetown, GA and Michele Silvia of Bristol, RI; two sisters Mary Medeiros and Alice Silvia, both of Tiverton; and several nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. from the OLIVEIRA FUNERAL HOME, 2064 South Main St., followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in the Holy Ghost Church. Interment will be in Pocasset Hill Cemetery. Calling hours Friday 5-9 p.m. www.oliveirafuneralhomes.com.

Mary L. Burke

Mary L. Burke, 49, of Fall River, passed away on Monday, August 25, 2014 at St. Anne’s Hospital. She was the daughter of Ronald J. “Red” and Louise M. (Ferry) Burke of Westport.

Born in Fall River, she had been a lifelong resident of the city. Mary enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Survivors along with her parents include her 2 sons: David Ploude Jr. of Swansea and Kevin Ploude of Fall River; 4 brothers: Steven Burke and his wife Conny of AZ, Paul Burke and his wife Lisa of Westport, Ronald Burke and his wife Roxanna of New Bedford and Thomas Burke and his wife Kerry of Westport; 3 sisters: Arline Cordeiro and her husband James of Westport, Peggy Gomez and her husband Robert of Fall River and Kristy Burke of Westport; 4 grandchildren: Dylan, Evin, Madison and Owen; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial to which relatives and friends are invited will be Saturday, August 30, 2014 at St. George Church, Westport at 11:00 A.M. Visitation will be from 9-10:30 A.M at the POTTER FUNERAL HOME, 81 Reed Rd., Westport, MA 02790, prior to the Mass.

Interment will be private.

For directions or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralservice.com.